Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1956)

"High Society" Stutter 1£*ti*? GOO Plus Musical hit stocked with top marquee names Sinatra, Crosby, Kelly. Plenty of comedy, catchy tunes, production values. Rolls after slow start. Sure to draw high returns in urban houses, but not so in small towns. The diverse talents and topflight boxoffice appeal of Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly, make this musical version of "The Philadelphia Story" a big show in the finest M-G-M tradition. Sol Siegel's splashy VistaVision-Technicolor production can boast something for everyone: Cole Porter's sophisticated songs, soft-shoe routines, jazz instrumentals, plush sets, and a look-see at the shenanigans of the society smart-set. This shrewd combination of ingredients will undoubtedly carry it to very good grosses wherever frothy musical entertainment clicks. This does not necessarily mean the small-town situations. The story, transplanted from Philadelphia's Main Line to the society mecca of Newport, R. I., is rather slow getting underway, but the second half is loaded with life and laughs, which director Charles Walters handles cleverly. One regrets that some of the unnecessary dialogue by screenplay writer John Patrick had not been deleted from the early scenes. However, once the film rolls it takes on a light-hearted spirit, while tossing acid commentary at high and snooty society. Crosby wasn't the wisest selection for his romantic role, but he's tops in the tune department, especially in the "Now You Has Jazz" number with Louis Armstrong's band and in a jolly duo with Sinatra, "Well, Did You Evah?". Grace Kelly is delightful in her portrayal as a headstrong beauty about to embark on a second marriage. She becomes enchanting after drinking herself into the arms of magazine reporter Sinatra. Latter could have had some sharper dialogue in spots. Celeste Holm wisecracks continually as the photographer who's sweet on Sinatra, and the late Louis Calhern works a few laughs out of insignificant scenes. "Satchmo" Armstrong and his ensemble, in Newport for a jazz festival, render several Dixieland tunes, some good, some not-so. Crosby plays Kelly's ex-hubby who's still pot it bad for her. and will do anything to keep her from marrying seriousminded, dull John Lund. Sinatra and Holm are unwelcome reporters from an expose-type magazine. Miss Kelly, not sure she's completely free of Crosby, gets soused and takes a dip in the pool with Sinatra. Although nothing to ruin her reputation takes place, suitor Lund insists on a detailed explanation. His mistrust sends Kelly back to Crosby. As they walk down the aisle, Sinatra and Holm decide they'll take a whirl at wedlock. MGM. 107 minutes. Bing Crosby Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra Celeste Holm. Louis Armstrong. Produced by Sol Siegel. Directed by Charles Walters. "He Laughed Last" &u4i*e44 IZatiH? O O Plus Bright song-and-dance comedy moves fast, entertains all the *ay. Good dualler for general market. Here is a lively, satirical return to the rip-snorting 1920's, told in a burst of cliches that includes the babbling blond and the blazing machinegun. A Columbia release, in Technicolor, it is happily Runyonesque and breezy in plot, and at best in the song and dance sequences. Crooner Frankie Laine tells the story of a dumb but adorable nightclub chorine who inherits a racketeer's empire after he is rubbed out in gangland warfare. Under Biake Edwards' direction, it adds up to solid popular entertainment that should appeal to a wide range of moviegoers. While Jonie Taps' production never lacks color or costume appeal. Lucy Marlow, as the tintype dizzy dame, comes through with a snappy performance. She is beautifully put together, a fact especially apparent in her flapper dance sequences. Frankie Laine is best when his infectious voice is put to work in a tune like "Danny Boy". When millionaire underworld czar Alan Reed is wiped out in gang war. he leaves his race tracks, speakeasies, and distilleries to Miss Marlow. His partner, Jesse White, doesn't like the practical joke, and neither does Dick Long, Lucy's boyfriend, who's a plain-clothes cop. White decides to dispose of Lucy to take charge of the holdings, but not before she closes all the illicit holdings. 3oy loses girl briefly when White and his gang kidnap Marlow. But boy gets girl plus millions before the finis. e Columbia. 77 minutes. Frankie Laine. Lucy Marlow. Dick Long, Anthony Dexter. Produced by Jonie Taps. Directed by Blake Edwards. "Seven Men From Now" SU41H€44 GOG Topflight Randolph Scott western. Loaded with action. Long, lean, taciturn Randy Scott just rolls on and on. "Seven Men From Now," his latest, is an above-par vehicle for the perennial western star. Its well-constructed, suspenseful, actionful plot, concerning an ex-sheriff gunning for seven bandits who shot his wife during a Wells Fargo holdup, emerges as an engrossing study of men with plausible reasons for drawing six-shooters. Burt Kennedy's fine script gives it drive. There is no question that it will satisfy action addicts, and its reception in the general market should be above-average. The Warner Bros. (Batjac) production in WarnerColor is first-grade outdoor stuff. And director Budd Boetticher draws the best out of a good cast that includes Gail Russell and evil Lee Marvin. While searching down the killers, Scott encounters Easterner Walter Reed and his beautiful wife, Gail Russell, in their covered wagon. Masters appears, trailing the Wells Fargo bandits for their money. Masters makes a pass at Russell, and Scott, attracted to her, sends him packing. Masters learns from the outlaws that the loot is being shipped in Reed's wagon, the latter unknowing. Alerted, Scott waits for the outlaws to come and get it. Meanwhile, Reed is shot when he attempts to inform the local sheriff, and Masters shoots some of the bandits in a double-cross. Scott cuts down the others in a hill fight. Russell remains in town after Scott suggests they might get together. Warner Bros. IA Batjac Production!. 78 minutes. Randolph Scott. Gail Russell. Lee Marvin Produced by Andrew V. McLaglen and Robert E. Morrison. Directed oy Budd Boetticher. O POOR Gu4i*u44. TZaU**} O O O O TOPS O O O GOOD Q O AVERAGE [More REVIEWS on Page 12] Film BULLETIN July 23, 1956 Page 11